Don't be afraid to shop for a used welder! Pawn shops, classifieds or talk to a rep from a welding supplier, any can get you a good welder cheap. Many welding suppliers lease machines to tech schools and then sell then. Older welders usually have better transformers in them and will hold a steadier arc. I got a used Hobart from a pawn shop with flow meter for $250 and it is a great welder. Always go for gas shielded not flux core. Flux can leave a residue that can be a problem with body work if you don't get all of it cleaned off.